Enforcement action followed after a mobile home was brought onto land off Pear Tree Lane in Shorne, near The See Ho, without permission

Enforcement action is being taken against a mobile home which blocked a road and caused “travel chaos” after it was brought onto green belt land before a permit was granted.

Officers from Gravesham council were called to the scene south of Pear Tree Lane, in shornnear The See Ho pub last week.

They say they are taking the incident “very seriously”.

It comes after proposals to change the use of the land to accommodate two static dwellings, two touring caravans and a common living room for Traveler occupancy, with associated landscaping, were approved in November.

In the planning statement submitted, applicant Mr P Cash admitted that the site is in the green belt and that the work, including fencing and re-grading, would be an inappropriate development.

However, he argued it would not have a “substantial impact” on the opening, nor would it be a “significant infringement” due to other nearby Traveler sites and residential properties.

He also stated that the council’s Gypsy and Traveler Accommodation Assessment, published in 2018, showed there was a need for land in the area.

The planning document said unmet need should be addressed through exceptional sites and these were likely to be in the green belt.

It added: “We consider that there are sufficient very special circumstances to overcome this limited harm to the opening up of the green belt.”

On Tuesday, December 17, a mobile home was brought onto the lot despite the undecided development application.

Motorists were caught in “traffic chaos” as the building blocked the road for several hours and neighbors reported seeing more foundation work on site.

In a statement released the next day, the council confirmed that its planning enforcement officers had attended the site and were “assessing possible next steps with legal colleagues”.

However, he added: “The fact that this event took place on private land limits the council’s ability to take action.”

An update published on Friday (December 20) said officers take incidents such as those on Pear Tree Lane “very seriously” and would not hesitate to act when it is proportionate and reasonable to do so.

He added: “This case is being actively dealt with by a number of teams, including development management, planning implementation, environmental enforcement and community safety.

“The council recognizes that this application has generated significant interest within the community.

“Residents should be reassured that the council is approaching this case with the appropriate level of resources and due diligence, working with stakeholders to reach a decision within the statutory time frame.”

Planning officers are also investigating a breach of a High Court injunction along White Post Lane, in Sole Street, after a static caravan was brought onto the site last week.

The ordinance prevents anyone from using the land for camping trailers or mobile homes.

The council is reviewing the case with legal colleagues to see if further action can be taken and has reported the incident to the police due to damage to the road, verges and trees.

Earlier this year, the local authority seized and secured it lands at Fowlers Stone Woodoff Harvel Road in Vigo following a four-year foreclosure case.

Work was first reported at the site in April 2020, leading to a High Court hearing ruling that the forest development was illegal.

The public consultation for the Pear Tree Lane application closed on Christmas Day with a decision expected on Friday 17 January.

At the time of writing, 214 letters of objection had been submitted, with only two written in support of the proposals.

Concerns have been raised by nearby villagers about traffic issues, the loss of green belt land and the potential impact on the character of the area.

A resident of Hollands Close, Shorne, said: “I object to this application as a traveler camp is completely inappropriate for this piece of land which is part of the green belt and is adjacent and opposite residential properties.

“It’s out of character with the rest of the area. There are no special circumstances to justify changing the use of this land and the application should be refused.”

Another who lives in Woodlands Lane, Shorne, added: “I have to say when I saw the application notice for the proposed site to house travelers I thought it was a joke but now I see it is a serious application , I must totally object to it.

“I can’t imagine this being taken seriously. It’s totally out of character.

“I trust that this app will be disabled immediately.”

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Shorne Parish Council strongly opposed the plans stating the land is “simply not residential land” and would be an inappropriate development on the green belt.

He stated that there had previously been five applications and four appeals, with two hearings at the High Court, to build on the land, which had all been rejected and there was no new information to justify overturning the decisions.

A spokesman added: “Among other reasons, the proposal is at an excessive density for the plot size, constitutes overdevelopment and would have a negative impact on the amenity of the area and nearby and neighboring homes.

“We are concerned, as with previous applications for this site, that any permission sets an indefensible and damaging precedent for the development of the front gardens and other parcels fronting Pear Tree Lane, as it would irrevocably change the nature and ambience of the area.

“We can think of no circumstances in which this request could be considered acceptable or permitted, even if the strongest possible conditions were attached.

“We strongly urge Gravesham District Council to refuse permission.”

However, one resident backed the plans saying more housing was needed in the area and if residents could buy land to support themselves they should be “given a chance”.